Ayurvedic Shilajit and Ashwagandha
- Anson C.
- Jan 15, 2022
- 2 min read
What Does Ayurveda Mean?
Ayurveda is the traditional Hindu system of medicine that originated in India more than 3,000 years ago.
The term Ayurveda is derived from the Sanskrit words ayur (life) and veda (science or knowledge). Thus, Ayurveda translates to the "knowledge of life."
Ayurveda is based on the belief that health and wellness depend on a delicate balance between the mind, body, and soul and its main goal is to promote good health, not fight disease.
What is Shilajit?
Shilajit is a sticky substance found primarily in the rocks of the Himalayas. It develops over centuries from the slow decomposition of plants.
Benefits include:
Prevent or slow the progression of Alzheimers disease.
Increase testosterone levels.
Improve energy levels
Slows the ageing process.
Reverse Iron deficiency anemia.
Increase sperm count.
Improve heart health.
Don’t take shilajit if you have sickle cell anemia, hemochromatosis (too much iron in your blood), or thalassemia. It’s possible to be allergic to this supplement. Stop taking shilajit if you develop rash, increased heart rate, or dizziness.
What is Ashwagandha?
Ashwaganda is a medicinal herb, classified as an adaptogen, meaning it can help the body manage stress. Ashwagandha is one of the most important herbs in Ayurveda. Ashwagandha has many health benefits and has been shown to fight inflammation and tumor growth
Can reduce blood sugar levels. One test-tube study found that it increased insulin secretion and improved insulin sensitivity in muscle cells.
May have anticancer properties. Animal and test-tube studies have shown that withaferin, a bioactive compound in ashwagandha, promotes the death of tumor cells and may be effective against several types of cancer.
May help reduce cortisol levels. Unfortunately, in some cases, cortisol levels may become chronically elevated, which can lead to high blood sugar levels and increased fat storage in the abdomen. In one study in chronically stressed adults, those who supplemented with ashwagandha had significantly greater reductions in cortisol, compared with the control group. Those taking the highest dose experienced a 30% reduction, on average
May help reduce stress and anxiety. This is one of the most well known properties of ashwaganda. In a 60-day study in 64 people with chronic stress, those in the group that supplemented with ashwagandha reported a 69% reduction in anxiety and insomnia, on average, compared with 11% in the placebo group.
May reduce symptoms of depression.
Can boost testosterone and fertility in men. In one study in 75 infertile men, the group treated with ashwagandha showed increased sperm count and motility. In another study, men who received ashwagandha for stress experienced higher antioxidant levels and better sperm quality. After 3 months of treatment, 14% of the men’s partners had become pregnant.
May increase muscle mass and strength. In another study, those who took ashwagandha had significantly greater gains in muscle strength and size. It also more than doubled their reductions in body fat percentage, compared with the placebo group.
May reduce inflammation.
May lower cholesterol and triglicerydes.
May improve brain function and memory. Another 8-week study in 50 adults showed that taking 300 mg of ashwagandha root extract twice daily significantly improved general memory, task performance, and attention.
Sources : hopkinsmedicine.org